Olympus E-PL1 Digital Camera Review

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This review was published on May 19, 2010. Since then, this product may have been discontinued or replaced. Pricing and availability may differ from what is stated in the review.

Introduction

This third camera in the Olympus Micro Four thirds PEN line delivers the pop-up flash missing from the E-P1 and E-P2, retains the accessory port used for adding an electronic viewfinder or external stereo mic to the E-P2 and sells at a tempting $600 list price. Image noise is still an issue, as with all Micro Four Thirds cameras, but high ISO noise reduction has improved significantly from the detail-blasting system in the E-P1 to make it a truly useful option. With excellent image sharpness, a lightweight, easy-to-handle body and extensive photographic controls, there's a lot to like about the E-PL1, though the lack of even one control dial is a nagging issue for those who like to adjust shutter speed, aperture or exposure compensation manually.

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Olympus PEN E-PL1

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Where To Buy

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

This local lake in Brighwaters, NY was shot in aperture priority mode using the natural picture mode, with digital ESP metering (i.e., full-frame). Sharpness is very good from edge to edge and corner to corner, with just a bit of chromatic aberration visible in the corner branches. The sky has a nice smooth gradation, with a well-saturated color that looks natural.
* Focal length: 14mm
* Aperture: f/13
* Shutter: 1/250
* ISO: 400

Shot in program mode, using the vivid picture mode to give some extra pop to the duck's orange bill and feet. The level of detail is striking in the eye, the textured webbed foot and the feathers, though we've blown out some detail in the brightest sections of the plumage.
* Focal length: 33mm
* Aperture: f/11
* Shutter: 1/500
* ISO: 400

This building in Somerville, MA has been converted from a Masonic Lodge into an ornately decorated 'temple of art' (you'll find [information about the project here](http://www.mod-ren.com/index.htm)). We shot it in vivid mode on an overcast day to bring up some of the brilliant colors, though an additional bump in Photoshop is probably appropriate. The textures are nicely captured, and the noise level low at ISO 200, though the top corner gets a bit soft, with some visible chromatic aberration.
* Focal length: 29mm
* Aperture: f/11
* Shutter: 1/60
* ISO: 200

We shot this Japanese mask on a tripod using aperture priority mode with center-weighted metering and custom white balance, with the natural picture mode setting. The colors have a nice deep hue without resorting to pumping up the saturation, and the textured surfaces maintain detail except for the far right corner, which may be a result of focal depth depth on the 3D surface.
* Focal length: 27mm
* Aperture: f/14
* Shutter: 1/50
* ISO: 400

Shot on a tripod using the natural picture mode with a custom white balance, in aperture priority mode using center-weighted metering. We ran through the four noise reduction settings at ISO 3200 and had a welcome surprise. While raising noise reduction levels does cost us some detail, it's nowhere near as drastic as we found when testing the Olympus E-P1 under similar circumstances ([shown here](http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Olympus-E-P1-Digital-Camera-Review-20850/Sample-Photos.htm)).
* Focal length: 42mm
* Aperture: f/10
* Shutter: 0.77 sec
* ISO: 3200